Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed reports that he is planning to announce elections on the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of his country on 24 February.
“Even if there were an intention or relevant steps toward bringing certain elections forward, I believe it would be an utterly stupid idea to use such a date to talk about politics,” he wrote on social media.
However, he told reporters on WhatsApp: “But of course, we are ready for elections. I said it’s very simple to do: establish a ceasefire — there will be elections. This is a matter of security.”
Mr Zelensky was elected by a landslide in 2019 and constitutionally cannot hold new elections while Ukraine is at war.
Reports that he was planning to announce elections this month appear to be a response to US pressure and claims from the Kremlin and the White House that he does not have a democratic mandate.
Meanwhile, Norway’s top military official has warned it cannot ignore the possibility of a future Russian invasion over nuclear assets stationed in the far north.
Read MoreZelensky ‘planning Ukraine election and peace deal referendum in spring’ after US pressure
Russian drone strike kills Ukrainian father and three children
The Ukrainian daring the Winter Olympics to disqualify him over war tribute helmet
Key Points
- Zelensky denies reports of February election announcement
- European parliament clears €90bn loan for cash-strapped Ukraine
- Zelensky says Ukraine needs 'specific date' for entry into EU
- Nato chief warns Putin ‘trying to break Ukrainian people: 'They will not be broken'
- Zelensky insists on ceasefire before elections
Kyiv comes under 'massive' attack from Russian missiles
07:50 , Arpan RaiThe Ukrainian capital Kyiv came under a "massive" attack from Russian missiles in the early hours todaay, with various buildings hit in the assault, officials said.
"A mass attack on the capital is still underway," mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram.
Klitschko said there had been hits on both residential and non-residential buildings on both sides of the Dnipro River bisecting the city.
Fragments had fallen near two residential buildings in one district, but no fire had broken out and no casualties were reported.
Emergency medical teams had been dispatched.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capital's military administration, said at least one hit had been recorded in an eastern suburb.
The southeastern city of Dnipro also came under attack, regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha said on Telegram. Some private homes and cars sustained damage, but there were no indications of any casualties.
Air raid alerts remained in effect in both Kyiv and Dnipro well after midnight.
Russia attacks Ukraine with 24 ballistic missiles and 219 drones overnight
07:48 , Arpan RaiRussia launched 24 ballistic missiles, one cruise missile and 219 drones in overnight attacks against Ukraine, the country’s air force said this morning.
Air defence units shot down or neutralised 16 missiles and 197 drones, the Ukraine Air Force said in a post on Telegram.
It added that the cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odesa were the main targets of the strike.
WhatsApp says Russia tried to fully block services
07:40 , Arpan RaiRussia has attempted to block Meta's WhatsApp for all users in the country, a company spokesperson said, as Moscow pushes people to use its own home-grown platforms and seeks greater control over the online space.
WhatsApp said the block was part of Russia's efforts to drive users to a "state-owned surveillance app."
"We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected," the company said.
Russia has clashed with foreign tech providers since Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, enacting strict rules around online commentary regarding the war and opposing platforms' efforts to keep users' messages private.
Russian authorities are instead pushing a state-backed rival app called "MAX", which critics claim could be used to track users.
Zelensky says Ukraine needs 'specific date' for entry into EU
07:29 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky has sought a “specific date” from the European Union to formally join the bloc.
"Ukraine will do everything to be technically ready for accession by 2027," Zelensky told journalists when asked about the reported partial membership.
"We will at least accomplish the main steps. Second, I want a specific date. I am absolutely confident that if in the agreement... there is no date, then Russia will do everything to block the process."
Earlier, a European Commission spokesperson told the Kyiv Independent that the EU considers Ukraine's accession efforts part of the ongoing peace process, but possible entry dates are not yet speculated.
Zelensky said he would not sign a peace agreement with the US, Russia, and Europe if the agreement did not include a specific date for Ukraine's EU accession.
“This... is about security guarantees, security guarantees for Ukraine," he said.
"These are specific details, with a specific date. And my signature today, on the 20-point plan, the plan to end the war, guarantees Ukrainians that there will be a specific date for our accession,” he said.
It is important that Ukraine will do everything to be technically ready for EU accession by 2027. At least the main steps we will accomplish.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 11, 2026
I want a specific date. If in the agreement, under which America, Russia – specifically Putin – I as President of Ukraine, and Europe…
Zelensky calls for more US pressure on Russia to end war by summer
07:15 , Arpan RaiPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the US needs to apply more pressure on Russia in order to end the war by summer.
The Ukrainian leader had previously said that intelligence had revealed that US officials aimed to seal a peace deal by June.
“It depends not only on Ukraine, but also on America, which must exert pressure – excuse me for saying so, but there is no other way – it must exert pressure on Russia,” he said on Wednesday.
Putin's troops lose Starlink access and territory in Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainians advance
07:05 , Arpan RaiA senior Nato official has confirmed Ukraine’s gains in the southern Zaporizhzhia region after Russian forces lost access to Starlink.
Last week, Starlink internet terminals used by Russian troops in Ukraine were deactivated, dealing what one official said was a big setback for Moscow that had disrupted assault operations.
Russian forces have made unauthorised use of thousands of satellite-based Starlink internet connections for secure communications after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv says.
“Taking that link away has put the Russians in somewhat of a command and control predicament,” the official told reporters ahead of a meeting of Nato defence ministers.
“Whatever alternative Russia comes up with is probably not going to be quite as effective.”
Shortly after the loss of access to Starlink, Ukraine’s armed forces confirmed they have regained the village of Kosivtseve in Zaporizhzhia.
Desperate Russian soldiers forcing Ukrainians to register Starlink terminals, officials say
06:50 , Arpan RaiRussian troops are forcing Ukrainians to register for Starlink terminals for the Kremlin’s forces shortly after Elon Musk cut their access to his satellite internet network, officials in Kyiv said.
Ukraine’s coordination headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war issued the warning on Tuesday and said families of Ukrainian prisoners are being threatened by Russian forces to enroll for Starlink terminals.
"Looking for a way out of the difficult situation in which they found themselves, the occupiers turned their attention to the families of the prisoners," the body handling prisoners of war said.
"Cases of threats and demands to officially register Starlink terminals have been recorded," it added.
Nato chief warns Putin ‘trying to break Ukrainian people: 'They will not be broken'
06:34 , Arpan RaiRussian president Vladimir Putin is trying to break the resolve of Ukrainians and he will fail, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said.
In his address ahead of defence minister meeting, the Nato chief said he was in Kyiv last week and saw the impact of Russia’s “relentless attacks” first-hand.
“President Putin is trying to break the people of Ukraine, hoping to weaken their resolve. But Ukraine and the Ukrainian people have shown time and again that they will not be broken,” he said.
Rutte added that Ukraine “cannot sustain this fight or secure the peace alone,” and stressed the importance of allied support through Nato.
Russia remains silent as Ukraine gears up for new round of talks next week
06:19 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky has confirmed Ukraine’s participation in the next round of peace talks and said it has accepted the US invitation.
"(T)he American side has proposed a meeting in America, in Miami, next week. And we immediately confirmed it," Zelensky said.
The talks, however, depend on Russia's agreement to participate, something that Ukraine and the US have not yet received.
"We were waiting for a response from the Russians. So far, as I understand it, Russia is hesitating," Zelensky said.
Earlier, Zelensky had told Bloomberg that negotiations will be hosted by the US and will take place on 17 and 18 February. He added later that a meeting could also take place in Abu Dhabi and Ukraine remains willing to be a part of talks in any location.
Ukraine's Heraskevych's race day today as he says he'll use banned helmet
06:02 , Arpan RaiThe Olympic men's skeleton race begins Thursday, and all eyes at the start will be on Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych.
Will he or won't he?
It's the biggest question in sliding at the Milan Cortina Games.
Heraskevych plans to wear his banned helmet — a tribute to Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed during the war with Russia — in the race, despite the International Olympic Committee saying it violates its rules on political statements and isn't appropriate for competition.
If Heraskevych races with the helmet, he risks sanctions that could go as far as disqualification from the Olympics. And that would put the IOC in a difficult spot, because kicking an athlete out of the Games for paying tribute to those killed in a war would draw tons of criticism.
Watch: Deadly Russian attacks in Zaporizhzhia intensify as Zelensky nears peace deal decision
05:24 , Arpan RaiKyiv comes under 'massive' attack from Russian missiles
05:07 , Arpan RaiThe Ukrainian capital Kyiv came under a "massive" attack from Russian missiles in the early hours todaay, with various buildings hit in the assault, officials said.
"A mass attack on the capital is still underway," mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram.
Klitschko said there had been hits on both residential and non-residential buildings on both sides of the Dnipro River bisecting the city.
Fragments had fallen near two residential buildings in one district, but no fire had broken out and no casualties were reported.
Emergency medical teams had been dispatched.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capital's military administration, said at least one hit had been recorded in an eastern suburb.
The southeastern city of Dnipro also came under attack, regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha said on Telegram. Some private homes and cars sustained damage, but there were no indications of any casualties.
Air raid alerts remained in effect in both Kyiv and Dnipro well after midnight.
WhatsApp says Russia tried to fully block services
05:00 , Arpan RaiRussia has attempted to block Meta's WhatsApp for all users in the country, a company spokesperson said, as Moscow pushes people to use its own home-grown platforms and seeks greater control over the online space.
WhatsApp said the block was part of Russia's efforts to drive users to a "state-owned surveillance app."
"We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected," the company said.
Russia has clashed with foreign tech providers since Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, enacting strict rules around online commentary regarding the war and opposing platforms' efforts to keep users' messages private.
Russian authorities are instead pushing a state-backed rival app called "MAX", which critics claim could be used to track users.
European parliament clears €90bn loan for cash-strapped Ukraine
04:38 , Arpan RaiThe EU parliament has approved a major loan worth €90bn (£78bn) for Ukraine yesterday, extending a financial lifeline to the war-hit nation.
Lawmakers voted by 458 to 140 in favor of the loan which will cover two-thirds of Ukraine's financial needs for 2026 and 2027. The loan will be backed by the EU's common budget – after plans to tap frozen Russian central bank assets fell by the wayside.
"Support for Ukraine rests on a small number of countries and most if it comes from Europe," centrist lawmaker Nathalie Loiseau said. "It is our honour – and it's in our interest because our security is at stake," she said.
EU foreign policy chief says Ukraine war-time elections 'not a good solution'
04:28 , Arpan RaiEU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said conducting elections for war-hit Ukraine is not a good idea as the conditions will make the democratic electoral process extremely difficult.
"Majority of European countries have in their constitution a provision that elections are not held during war," said Kallas. “And why? Because if you have elections, there is always fighting inside between different factions, and when you have outside attacks, literally, then you just can't hold elections because your adversary is outside, and you need to concentrate all the efforts to counter that.”
The top EU official added that Russia does not have an upper hand in the continuing war and is riddled with its own challenges.
"What is important is to know that Russia is not winning this war. The casualty rates are surging. Their economy is not doing well,” she said.
Zelensky says Ukraine needs 'specific date' for entry into EU
04:05 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky has sought a “specific date” from the European Union to formally join the bloc.
"Ukraine will do everything to be technically ready for accession by 2027," Zelensky told journalists when asked about the reported partial membership.
"We will at least accomplish the main steps. Second, I want a specific date. I am absolutely confident that if in the agreement... there is no date, then Russia will do everything to block the process."
Earlier, a European Commission spokesperson told the Kyiv Independent that the EU considers Ukraine's accession efforts part of the ongoing peace process, but possible entry dates are not yet speculated.
Zelensky said he would not sign a peace agreement with the US, Russia, and Europe if the agreement did not include a specific date for Ukraine's EU accession.
“This... is about security guarantees, security guarantees for Ukraine," he said.
"These are specific details, with a specific date. And my signature today, on the 20-point plan, the plan to end the war, guarantees Ukrainians that there will be a specific date for our accession,” he said.
'Utterly stupid' idea to call elections on 24 February, says Zelensky
03:55 , Arpan RaiUkrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has said it would be an “utterly stupid” idea to announce an election on 24 February, the date of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as reported by the Financial Times.
“24 February is a special date. Even if there were an intention or relevant steps toward bringing certain elections forward, I believe it would be an utterly stupid idea to use such a date to talk about politics,” he wrote in a post on Wednesday.
“This is a very serious date – four years of war. It’s a large number of people who have defended our state and given their lives. And it is since 24 February that our people have been defending their country every day.
“I could never do such a thing. Therefore, 24 February cannot be used to announce any elections – any elections at all. This is not about individuals. No elections can be announced on 24 February. As for announcing elections in general, I’ll repeat: first security, then politics.
“We can move toward elections when all the relevant security guarantees are in place. The issue of elections has been raised by various partners. Ukraine itself has never raised it. But of course, we are ready for elections. It’s very simple to do: establish a ceasefire – and there will be elections. Meaning, it is a matter of security.”
Nato chief warns Putin ‘trying to break Ukrainian people: 'They will not be broken'
03:39 , Arpan RaiRussian president Vladimir Putin is trying to break the resolve of Ukrainians and he will fail, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said.
In his address ahead of defence minister meeting, the Nato chief said he was in Kyiv last week and saw the impact of Russia’s “relentless attacks” first-hand.
“President Putin is trying to break the people of Ukraine, hoping to weaken their resolve. But Ukraine and the Ukrainian people have shown time and again that they will not be broken,” he said.
Rutte added that Ukraine “cannot sustain this fight or secure the peace alone,” and stressed the importance of allied support through Nato.
Desperate Russian soldiers forcing Ukrainians to register Starlink terminals, officials say
03:28 , Arpan RaiRussian troops are forcing Ukrainians to register for Starlink terminals for the Kremlin’s forces shortly after Elon Musk cut their access to his satellite internet network, officials in Kyiv said.
Ukraine’s coordination headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war issued the warning on Tuesday and said families of Ukrainian prisoners are being threatened by Russian forces to enroll for Starlink terminals.
"Looking for a way out of the difficult situation in which they found themselves, the occupiers turned their attention to the families of the prisoners," the body handling prisoners of war said.
"Cases of threats and demands to officially register Starlink terminals have been recorded," it added.
Putin's troops lose Starlink access and territory in Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainians advance
03:12 , Arpan RaiA senior Nato official has confirmed Ukraine’s gains in the southern Zaporizhzhia region after Russian forces lost access to Starlink.
Last week, Starlink internet terminals used by Russian troops in Ukraine were deactivated, dealing what one official said was a big setback for Moscow that had disrupted assault operations.
Russian forces have made unauthorised use of thousands of satellite-based Starlink internet connections for secure communications after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv says.
“Taking that link away has put the Russians in somewhat of a command and control predicament,” the official told reporters ahead of a meeting of Nato defence ministers.
“Whatever alternative Russia comes up with is probably not going to be quite as effective.”
Shortly after the loss of access to Starlink, Ukraine’s armed forces confirmed they have regained the village of Kosivtseve in Zaporizhzhia.
Zelensky denies reports of February election announcement
03:04 , Arpan RaiUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has denied that he is planning on announcing a presidential election and referendum on a peace deal with Russia on 24 February, as reported by the Financial Times.
Answering reporters' questions in a WhatsApp chat, he said elections could only be held if there was a ceasefire, and that Europe and the US should work in track with Moscow on negotiations.
Kyiv comes under 'massive' attack from Russian missiles
02:55 , Arpan RaiThe Ukrainian capital Kyiv came under a "massive" attack from Russian missiles in the early hours todaay, with various buildings hit in the assault, officials said.
"A mass attack on the capital is still underway," mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram.
Klitschko said there had been hits on both residential and non-residential buildings on both sides of the Dnipro River bisecting the city.
Fragments had fallen near two residential buildings in one district, but no fire had broken out and no casualties were reported.
Emergency medical teams had been dispatched.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capital's military administration, said at least one hit had been recorded in an eastern suburb.
The southeastern city of Dnipro also came under attack, regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha said on Telegram. Some private homes and cars sustained damage, but there were no indications of any casualties.
Air raid alerts remained in effect in both Kyiv and Dnipro well after midnight.
Russian strikes kill four civilians, says regional governor
02:30 , Maira ButtRussian strikes have killed four civilians in various localities in Ukraine's southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha said on Wednesday.
Mr Ganzha said the attacks occurred in three small localities near the town of Synelnykove, east of the regional centre of Dnipro.
In one attack, a man was killed and his wife wounded. In another, a couple and their 45-year-old son was killed and a man wounded. A woman was hurt in a third village.
Zelensky calls for more US pressure on Russia to end war by summer
01:30 , Maira ButtPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the US needs to apply more pressure on Russia in order to end the war by summer.
The Ukrainian leader had previously said that intelligence had revealed that US officials aimed to seal a peace deal by June.
“It depends not only on Ukraine, but also on America, which must exert pressure – excuse me for saying so, but there is no other way – it must exert pressure on Russia,” he said on Wednesday.
Russia attacked railway station in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, deputy PM says
00:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussia attacked a railway station in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region early on Wednesday, damaging locomotives, rail, cars and infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said.
There was also another attack on railway depot in Konotop in the Sumy region, he said on the Telegram messaging app.
"This is another targeted attack on civilian logistics and critical infrastructure," Kuleba wrote.
Zelensky ‘planning Ukraine election and peace deal referendum in spring’ after US pressure
Wednesday 11 February 2026 23:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainVolodymyr Zelensky is planning to announce a spring election and a referendum on a peace deal to end the war with Russia, according to reports.
The Ukrainian president, under mounting pressure from the White House, is set to announce the election plans on 24 February, according to the Financial Times.
It comes after the United States issued a June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to finalise a peace agreement in a bid to end the four-year war.
Read more here:
Zelensky ‘planning Ukraine election and peace deal referendum in spring’
Freezing on the front line: The Ukrainians struggling to survive in -26C cold with scarce food and no power
Wednesday 11 February 2026 22:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAs three-way peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US stall, freezing Ukrainians say they are struggling to feed their families while Putin’s relentless assault continues.
Russian forces began the year by ramping up their strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, plunging large swathes of the country into darkness.
Ukraine is suffering its coldest winter in more than a decade, and without power, many of its people have been unable to cook meals while temperatures plummet as low as -26C.
Read more from Alex Croft here:
Freezing on front line: The Ukrainians struggling to survive Putin’s war in -26C cold
Russia turns to Asia to solve employment crisis worsened by war
Wednesday 11 February 2026 21:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA group of visibly weary Indian men, laden with sports bags, recently navigated passport control at a bustling Moscow airport.
Their journey, spanning over 2,700 miles and including a stop in Uzbekistan, brought them to Russia in search of employment.
"I have a contract for one year. In the rubbish disposal business. The money is good," stated Ajit, one of the new arrivals, speaking in English.
Russia turns to Asia to solve employment crisis worsened by war
Russian drone strike kills Ukrainian father and three children
Wednesday 11 February 2026 20:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA Russian drone strike has tragically claimed the lives of a father and his three young children in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, seriously wounding their 35-week pregnant mother, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The drone strike completely destroyed the brick house, setting it ablaze and trapping the family under the rubble, according to the Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office.
The 34-year-old father and his three children – twin boys aged two and their one-year-old sister – were killed. Rescue workers pulled the mother alive from the debris, though she sustained blast injuries, a traumatic brain injury, burns, and hearing loss.
Russian drone strike kills Ukrainian father and three children
Zelensky insists on ceasefire before elections
Wednesday 11 February 2026 20:21 , Sam KileyMedia reports that Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky was planning to announce elections this month appear to be a response to US pressure and claims from the Kremlin and the White House that he does not have a democratic mandate.
He was elected by a landslide in 2019 and constitutionally cannot hold new elections while Ukraine is at war.
In voice notes, Mr Zelensky said: “We are ready to work with any schedules proposed by American colleagues. But if we raise the issue of a referendum — I have already said — there must be an understanding of a ceasefire, because structurally a referendum is like elections, meaning security is required.
“The same applies to elections: again, the American side and others who raise the issue — we are not against elections, but only under security conditions.
“Our American colleagues have heard this from us many times”.
February 24 is a special date. Even if there were an intention or relevant steps toward bringing certain elections forward, I believe it would be an utterly stupid idea to use such a date to talk about politics. This is a very serious date – four years of war. It’s a large number…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 11, 2026
Zelensky dismisses reports he will call election
Wednesday 11 February 2026 20:09 , Sam KileyUkraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed reports that he was planning to announce elections on the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of his country on 24 February.
Speaking to reporters via WhatsApp messages, he said that such reports were news to him.
“I have said many times regarding elections: we will move to elections when there are all the appropriate security guarantees,” he said.
“I have always said that the issue of elections is raised by various partners. Ukraine itself has never raised it.
“But of course, we are ready for elections. I said it’s very simple to do: establish a ceasefire — there will be elections. This is a matter of security.
“Next: are they insisting on elections in the White House? You know that America has raised the issue of elections. Therefore I don’t want to go into details.
“Otherwise they threaten to withdraw their security guarantees. No, they are not threatening to withdraw security guarantees. By the way, they are not linking elections with security guarantees,” Mr Zelensky said.
Ukraine has been the target of sophisticated information operations and warfare from both Russia and lobbyists backing the Trump administration who have tried to both force elections and cause political schisms in Ukraine.
Wargame simulating Russian attack on Nato suggests Kremlin could ‘achieve goals’ within days
Wednesday 11 February 2026 19:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainIn case you missed this-
A new wargame simulating a Russian incursion into Lithuania, carried out by ex-Nato and German officials, concluded that Moscow would “achieve most of its goals” within days.
The exercise envisaged a scenario where the Kremlin used bogus claims of a “humanitarian crisis” in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to seize the Lithuanian city of Marijampole to its east, a key conurbation through which the road linking Russia and Belarus runs.
Wargame simulates how Russia could take Nato country ‘within days’
Russia's curbs on Telegram prompt concern about impact on soldiers - part two
Wednesday 11 February 2026 19:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussian military commentators have frequently described Telegram as an important communications tool for frontline soldiers, though the Kremlin said it was sceptical about this.
"I don't think it's possible to imagine frontline communications being provided via Telegram or some other messaging service," its spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters.
He referred further questions to the Ministry of Defence, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the western Belgorod region which has frequently been struck by Ukrainian drones, said he was worried the latest moves could make it harder to deliver important safety announcements to residents.
"I'm concerned that the slowdown could impact the delivery of operational information to you if the situation worsens," he said, urging people to register with the state's rival MAX messaging system.
Critics say the authorities have clamped down on foreign-based platforms, also including Meta's WhatsApp and Apple's FaceTime, as a way of forcing people to adopt MAX, which they fear will be used by the authorities as a surveillance tool. State media have dismissed such concerns.
Telegram's Russian-born founder Pavel Durov said the app would remain committed to protecting free speech and user privacy "no matter the pressure".
Kremlin spokesman Peskov said the communications watchdog was simply doing its job.
"We can only express regret here; there's nothing good about this, but the law must be followed," he said.
Russian oil revenue plummets as sanctions target Putin’s cash cow
Wednesday 11 February 2026 18:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussia's crucial oil and gas revenues, which have sustained its war against Ukraine, have suddenly dwindled to multi-year lows as the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches.
This sharp decline is the result of new punitive measures from the US and the European Union, tariff pressure from US President Donald Trump against India, and a tightening crackdown on the fleet of sanctions-dodging tankers carrying Russian oil.
The resulting revenue drop is forcing President Vladimir Putin to borrow from Russian banks and raise taxes.
Russian oil revenue plummets as sanctions target Putin’s cash cow
Russia's curbs on Telegram prompt concern about impact on soldiers
Wednesday 11 February 2026 18:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussia's curbs on the messaging app Telegram could affect battlefield communications as well as prevent soldiers from keeping in touch with their families, critics charged on Wednesday in an angry backlash against the latest restrictions.
The state communications watchdog, which began limiting voice and video calls via the app last August, said on Tuesday it would impose further curbs because of a lack of action by Telegram to counter criminal and terrorist activity.
Some users have complained that the app has been noticeably slower this week.
In short video appeals, three men purporting to be members of a Russian anti-drone unit said Telegram was vital to their work and urged the watchdog not to interfere with it.
Sergei Mironov, leader of a pro-Kremlin parliamentary party, posted a link to the appeals and said soldiers' lives could be at stake.
"The guys are shedding blood there, they need normal communication, and besides Telegram, they often have nothing," he wrote. "Don't deprive them of what helps them fight the enemy and keep themselves alive."
Speaking separately to reporters, Mironov berated those responsible for impairing the app's performance as "idiots".
Telegram is a hugely popular channel for public and private communications in Russia and has long been the dominant platform for information - and disinformation - about the war in Ukraine.
Russia lacks equipment to safely restart Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Ukraine says
Wednesday 11 February 2026 17:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainEurope's largest nuclear power plant, seized by Russian forces in the early days of their invasion of Ukraine, can be restarted safely only if it is returned to Ukrainian control, the head of Ukraine's nuclear power operator said on Tuesday.
The six reactors at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant have been shut down since Russian forces captured the area. Moscow announced last year it was aiming to restart at least one reactor, and the plant's Russian-appointed boss said it could begin producing energy by 2027.
But Pavlo Kovtoniuk, boss of Ukrainian state nuclear firm Energoatom, said Russia lacks some equipment and spare parts to operate it, and risked a nuclear accident if it tries.
"Russia will not be able to launch the station. The main equipment and the control, protection and monitoring systems are all Ukrainian," Kovtoniuk said.
"This means that it's a Ukrainian project, and spare parts are manufactured at Ukrainian enterprises. Without spare parts and without the project, the station simply cannot be operated."
UK steps up troops in Norway to deter Putin
Wednesday 11 February 2026 16:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainBritain is set to double its troop presence in Norway from 1,000 to 2,000 over the next three years to bolster High North defences against Russia.
Get the latest from this bulletin:
UK steps up troops in Norway to deter Putin
Russia says it will stick to limits of expired nuclear treaty if US does the same
Wednesday 11 February 2026 15:47 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussia will keep observing the missile and warhead limits in the expired New START nuclear treaty with the United States as long as Washington continues to do the same, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
The 2010 treaty ran out on February 5, leaving the world's two biggest nuclear-armed powers with no binding constraints on their strategic arsenals for the first time in more than half a century.
U.S. President Donald Trump rejected an offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin to voluntarily abide by the New START limits for another year, saying he wanted a "new, improved and modernized" treaty rather than an extension of the old one.
"Our position is that this moratorium on our side that was declared by the president is still in place, but only as long as the United States doesn't exceed the said limits," Lavrov told the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament.
"We have reason to believe that the United States is in no hurry to deviate from these indicators, and for the foreseeable future these indicators will be observed," he said, without explaining the basis for that assumption.
Lavrov reiterated that Russia wanted to start "strategic dialogue" with the U.S., saying it was "long overdue".
Russian drone strike kills Ukrainian father and three children
Wednesday 11 February 2026 15:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA Russian drone strike has tragically claimed the lives of a father and his three young children in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, seriously wounding their 35-week pregnant mother, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The drone strike completely destroyed the brick house, setting it ablaze and trapping the family under the rubble, according to the Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office.
The 34-year-old father and his three children – twin boys aged two and their one-year-old sister – were killed. Rescue workers pulled the mother alive from the debris, though she sustained blast injuries, a traumatic brain injury, burns, and hearing loss.
Russian drone strike kills Ukrainian father and three children
Air defences used against Russian missile attack on Ukraine's Lviv region, mayor says - update
Wednesday 11 February 2026 14:37 , Maryam Zakir-HussainLviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said: "Close to 1440 (local time) two enemy Kinzhal (missiles) were flying in the direction of Lviv. Air defence forces neutralised them. This is a titanic work," Sadovyi wrote on yhe Telegram messaging app.
He added that as of now there were no reports of any damage or people hurt, and that city services were surveying the territory.
Air defences used against Russian missile attack on Ukraine's Lviv region, mayor says
Wednesday 11 February 2026 14:15 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAir defences were used against a Russian missile attack on Lviv region, Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on Wednesday, as the air force warned of Russian missiles in the air.
Lviv is in western Ukraine, less than 60 kilometres from the Polish border.
The city is about 600km (370 miles) away from the nearest border with Russia, making attacks there, especially daytime ones, less common than other major Ukrainian cities.
Russia says it won't breach limits of expired nuclear treaty if US does the same
Wednesday 11 February 2026 14:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussia will keep observing the missile and warhead limits in the New START nuclear treaty with the United States, which expired last week, as long as Washington continues to do the same, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
The 2010 treaty ran out on February 5, leaving the world's two biggest nuclear-armed powers with binding constraints on their strategic nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than half a century.
US president Donald Trump declined a formal proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to voluntarily abide by the New START limits for another year. Lavrov said Moscow would stick to the limits itself for now anyway.
"Our position is that this moratorium on our side that was declared by the president is still in place, but only as long as the United States doesn't exceed the said limits," Lavrov told parliament's lower house, the State Duma.
The treaty's expiry has spurred fears of a three-way arms race involving Russia, the U.S. and China, which has far fewer warheads than the other two countries but is arming rapidly.
Some analysts say, however, that Russia is keen to avoid the cost of such a contest at a time when its state budget is feeling the strain from its four-year-old war in Ukraine.
Czech ammunition scheme for Kyiv faces funding shortfalls - NATO official
Wednesday 11 February 2026 13:40 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA Czech initiative sourcing ammunition for Ukraine aims to secure shells worth five billion euros ($5.95 billion) globally but has only managed to raise 1.4 billion euros so far, a senior NATO military official said on Wednesday.
The programme, involving foreign donors including Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands alongside Czech defence officials and arms companies, seeks to acquire large-calibre ammunition for Ukraine to reduce its disadvantage on the battlefield against Russia.
In December, NATO's Ukraine mission, NSATU, projected the initiative would deliver 1.8 million artillery rounds in 2025, constituting 43% of all ammunition supplied to Kyiv, and roughly 70% of the legacy Soviet calibre ammunition.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted 16 billion euros worth of ammunition were available on the global market currently.
NATO is targeting a five-billion-euro expenditure focused predominantly on acquiring hundreds of thousands of artillery shells under the Czech scheme, the official said, adding that 1.4 billion euros had been committed by donors so far.